Taymouth Castle in Scotland Turns Into Luxe Hotel

We hear that the historic Taymouth Castle in Scotland will open later this month as a luxury hotel and spa with an attached James Braid-designed golf course that will be upgraded to even higher standards.

The neo-Gothic style castle is located close to the village of Kenmore in Perthshire and dates back to the early 19th century. We hear the main rooms within the castle are being restored, including work on the Queen Victoria suite of rooms (she stayed there during an 1842 visit).

For the golf course, Scottish golfer Stephen Gallacher (nephew of golfer Bernard Gallacher) has been appointed to work on the project, which will include lengthening the course from 6,066 yards to 7,100 yards, and restoring original design elements. The aim is to complete the course redo by sometime in 2012.

Further plans call for leisure and residential properties to be added around the estate, with views over the course, home concierge and butler service, golf membership packages and helicopter transfers.

The castle is located around one-and-a-half hours drive from Glasgow and Edinburgh, and 30 minutes by helicopter.

Visit taymouthcastlegolfclub.com.